On Monday PlayStation revealed a themed PS5 controller for their highly anticipated Astro Bot.

The response seemed to be very positive, with comments on the r/PS5 subreddit generally echoing this user’s thoughts:

I’ve not once in my life purchased a special edition controller or console. I’m here Day 1 for this.

It’s a cute controller, and the theming is fun, and tastefully done. A perfect accessory for Astro Bot fans.

The thing about Astro Bot though, is that it’s essentially a PlayStation nostalgia piece (excellent gameplay chops notwithstanding). There’s certainly an argument to be made that the reason an Astro Bot themed controller works at all is because Astro Bot is designed to look like a PlayStation accessory in the first place.

PlayStation’s themed controllers this generation have been lacklustre at best. Perhaps it’s the complexity of the touchpad and button layout, along with manufacturing processes, that limits what they are able to do creatively. Previous limited-edition controllers barely look any better than aftermarket stickers you might get on Amazon or eBay.

None of these are great, but jebus those first party ones are particularly awful.